Rebuttal: Facts about Winnebago County sheriff, 2010 campaign

In response to the editorial “Sheriff Dick Meyers delivered when he didn’t have to,” it mentions how Dick Meyers dealt with adversity and that “dirty politics” brought to light his knowledge of explicit emails that was circulating through his office and his staff. That insinuates that it was produced from me or my campaign committee.

In response to the editorial “Sheriff Dick Meyers delivered when he didn’t have to,” it mentions how Dick Meyers dealt with adversity and that “dirty politics” brought to light his knowledge of explicit emails that was circulating through his office and his staff. That insinuates that it was produced from me or my campaign committee.

Your often-used “We strive for accuracy” needs to come into play. If any investigative reporting would have been done, you would have discovered and, perhaps printed, that the sheriff ordered and completed an investigation into who was responsible for the release of those emails. That person was an employee of the Sheriff’s Department and was disciplined for violating department policy. That employee had no ties whatsoever to my campaign.

My campaign staff was ordered from the beginning and maintained a clean and honest campaign. Now, I can give credit where credit is due and acknowledge that it is extremely commendable the years of service that Dick Meyers has dedicated to public safety for the citizens of Winnebago County and the assistance to struggling agencies and progress.

But you can not accuse my campaign of dirty politics without knowing the facts. Dirty politics involves myths, untruths and smoke and mirrors — similar to what was involved where an unprecedented investigation into allegations of policy violations involving a deputy sergeant who was exercising his right to run for office and trial just days before the election.

The emails were fact, he lied to you about it, then recanted that there were hundreds, not seven as you reported. If you really do strive for accuracy then investigate for the facts and not accuse a person or group of “dirty politics” when it didn’t happen, and the “dirty” part came from the other side. I am extremely proud of my campaign, my staff and my supporters.

Your editorial ended with Meyers avoiding accusations of nepotism. Again, with some fact-finding reporting you’ll find in the Winnebago County codes “nepotism” and how Meyers’ son and several others are in violation of that code. That’s not an accusation. It’s fact!

Aaron Booker retired from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department in 2012. He was a candidate for sheriff in 2010.